The Revolution: The Early Years

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The RevolutionThe Early Years

• Chapter 6 Section 1

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No respect for the Declaration
Though the Declaration of Independence was later
regarded as legitimate, most nations did not
recognize the colonies as an independent
country. It would take a war for the colonies to
prove themselves.
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Patriot Advantages/Disadvantages

• Disadvantages
• Lack of strong, organized army
• Lack of experience, supplies, guns and ammo
• Short tours for most soldiers (1 year or less,
  with many deserting
• Lack of support from many Americans

• Advantages
• Fighting in their own territory
• George Washington
• Fighting for a cause freedom
• Fighting against some soldiers that were being
  paid

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British Advantages/Disadvantages

• Advantages
• Strong Navy
• Large, well-trained Army
• Lots of

• Disadvantages
• Had to wage war over 2000 miles away
• Fighting in unfamiliar, hostile territory
• Unmotivated soldiers
• Enemies in Europe

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African Americans in the War

• African Americans fought for both sides, with a
  slight majority serving the British
• George Washington was hesitant to allow blacks to
  enlist, but eventually agreed

Peter Salem, an African American, fought in the
battles at Concord, Bunker Hill, Saratoga, and
Stony Point. He was born into slavery in
Massachusetts. He was eventually sold and
freed. Fellow soldiers recommended him for
decoration from the army, but none was ever
given. He weaved baskets after the war, and died
at the age of 66 in the poor house in Framingham,
Massachusetts.
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Women in the War

• Many women followed American forces for support,
  both moral and domestic
• Some women fought in battle, though it was rare

Margaret Corbin was staying with her husband at
Fort Washington when it was attacked by British
and Hessian troops. She joined her husband at
one of the cannons during the battle. When her
husband was killed, Margaret loaded and fired the
cannon herself for several minutes. She was
injured by grapeshot, and became the first female
to earn a lifetime pension as a disabled veteran.
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General William Howe

• British Commander

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Battle of Long Island
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Nathan Hale
Hale, a Connecticut schoolteacher, volunteered to
spy on the British in New York. He disguised
himself as a Dutch schoolteacher, but the British
soon suspected he was a spy. Just before he was
hung, Hale famously said I only regret that I
have but one life to lose for my country.
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Winter of 1776

• Most armies at this time stopped fighting in the
  winter to wait for better weather
• Washington decided to attack Trenton, New Jersey
• Surprise attack would be very effective
• Troop moral was very low

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Washington Crosses the Delaware
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Victories, Defeats

• Washington drives British from Trenton and
  Princeton
• Howe wins battles at Brandywine, Paoli, and then
  captures Philadelphia
• Americans defeat British at Fort Stanwix
• The stage was set for a showdown in Saratoga, New
  York

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Battle of Saratoga
Much of the British force had been stopped at
Fort Stanwix and many others remained in
Philadelphia. General Horatio Gates surrounded a
much smaller British force at Saratoga, New
York. The British fought desperately against an
army much bigger than their own, but to no
avail.
American General Horatio Gates
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Surrender at Saratoga

• October 17, 1777

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Effects of Saratoga

• American
• Kept New England and Middle Colonies intact
• Boosted support and increased troop moral
• British
• Temporarily strengthened resolve to win the war
• International
• European nations saw that the Americans might
  have a chance to win the war